Cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A modular cleaning unit for cleaning relatively smooth surfaces of contaminants. The unit has one or more belts that contact the surface and scrub it. The belts contain fluids to help remove the particles and are electrically biased to attract the particles loosened from the surface. Optionally, lamps radiate the particles to ease removal from the surface. The continuous belts are driven through cleaning fluids and over belt cleaning and wringing devices before passing in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

United States Patent 1 1 3,659,302 Egnaczak 1 May 2, 1972 [54] CLEANINGAPPARATUS 3,245,153 4/1966. Ashenbrucker ..15/256.51 3,351,039 11/1967Heisterkamp ..118/70 [721 Invent Raymmd 3,411,444 11/1968 BOl'leSChl15/256.51 [73] Assignee: Xerox Corporation, Rochester, NY. 2,289,7537/1942 CapSIaff-m 5/l00 2,257,391 9/1941 McDonell 15/99 [22] F1led: Nov.14, 1969 Appl. No.: 876,975

us. c1 ..1s/1.5 1111. C1 ..G03g 15/00, G03g 17 00, 003 19/00 Field OfSearch ..15/256.52, 256.51, 256.5, 1.5, 15 102, 100, 3, 4, 300 302, 306,308, 309, 316,

320; 118/70, 637; 134 1, 9; 8 158, 1, 2, 25, 81, 103; 355/15, DIG. 12;95 1 A; 204/299, 300, 301, 181,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Leon G. MachlinAtt0rney.lames J. Ralabate, David C. Petre and Barry Jay Kesselman 57ABSTRACT A modular cleaning unit for cleaning relatively smooth surfacesof contaminants. The unit has one or more belts that contact the surfaceand scrub it. The belts contain fluids to help remove the particles andare electrically biased to attract the particles loosened fromthesurface. Optionally, lamps radiate the particles to ease removal fromthe surface. The continuous belts are driven through cleaning fluids andover belt cleaning and wringing devices before passing in contact withthe surface to be cleaned.

15 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 2:912

SHEET 10F 3 INVENTOR. RAYMOND K. EGNAC ZAK y PATENTEDMM 2 I972 SHEET 2UF 3 CLEANING APPARATUS This invention relates to cleaning systems andmore particularly to apparatus for removing contaminants from a surface.

Recently, a new invention was disclosed for forming black and white orfull color images through the use of photoelectrophoresis. Theinventions described in US. Pat. Nos. 3,384,488; 3,384,565 and 3,383,993all issued on May 21, 1968 disclose a system where photoelectrophoreticparticles migrate in image configuration providing a visual image at oneor both of two electrodes between which the particles are placed insuspension. The particles are photosensitive and apparently undergo anet change in charge polarity or a polarity alteration by interactionwith one of the electrodes upon exposure to activating electromagneticradiation. No other photosensitive elements or materials are required;hence, this provides a very simple and inexpensive imaging technique.Mixtures of two or more differently colored particles can secure variouscolors or images. Particles in these mixes may have overlapping orseparate spectral response curves and are usable in subtractive colorsynthesis. The particles will migrate from one of the electrodes underthe influence of an electric field when struck with energy of awavelength within the spectral response of the colored particles.

Apparatus has been invented to better utilize the above process. US.Pat. No. 3,427,242 issued Feb. 11, 1969 describes a continuous apparatusembodiment of the above process. The apparatus requires that theinjecting electrode surface used for supporting a transferable image becleaned of residual pigment material remaining on its surface after thetransfer to a suitable support of the major portion of the pigmentforming the image that was formed on its surface.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to improve the cleaning ofsurfaces. Another object of this invention is to improve the removal ofelectrophoretic particles from surfaces. Yet another object is toimprove removal of photoelectrophoretic particles from a surface.

A further object of this invention is to improve cleaning of members ofautomated imaging machines. Still another object of this invention is toimprove removal of photoelectrically sensitive particles fromtransparent members.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing one of morecleaning members for contacting the surface to be cleaned under theinfluence of an electric field andpossibly electromagnetic radiationwhile moving the member through a fluid capable of dislodging materialfrom the surface to be cleaned. The member is itself purged ofcontaminants by passage through cleaning and drying mechanisms actingdirectly on the member. i

The unit is illustrated and described in a preferred environmentoperating in conjunction with other apparatus to automatically andcontinuously produce images of predetermined optical objects.Nevertheless, the invention need not be confined to such an embodimentand should be broadly construed within the limitations of the claims. Itmay be that other processes or apparatus will be invented havingcleaning needs that can be satisfied by the apparatusdes'cribed andclaimed herein and it is the intention of this patent application todescribe and claim an invention for use in many apparatus including somethat may not yet be invented.

The invention herein is described and illustrated in a specificembodiment having specific components listed for carrying out thefunctions of the apparatus. Nevertheless the invention need not bethought of as being confined to such a specific showing and should beconstrued broadly within the These and other objects and advantages willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

5 FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a machinefor forming photoelectrophoretic images;

FIG. 2 is a left-hand side view of the cleaning module partly sectionedwith parts broken away to show hidden portions; and

FIG. 3 is a top view of the cleaning module with parts broken away.

' OPERATION OF THE BASIC l5 PHOTOELECTROPI-IORETIC IMAGING SYSTEM Adetailed description of the operation and theories relating to theactual imaging system automated by this invention and discussing theinteraction of the photoelectrophoretic particles in the suspension usedfor image formation is found in the above cited patents. The imagingsystem therein described and which can be employed in the apparatusdescribed herein operates by producing electromagnetic radiationin imageconfiguration to which the individual photoelectrophoretic particleswithin the suspension are sensitive. The activating radiation and anelectric field across the imaging suspension combine between twoelectrodes in the imaging area. An electrode referred to as thetransparent injecting electrode" is maintained electrically positiverelative to imaging electrodes" interfacing with it at the imaging areaacross the photosensitive suspension. Therefore, particles within thesuspension that are negatively charged will be attracted to therelatively positive, transparent injecting electrode.

The injecting electrode is so named because it is thought to injectelectrical charges into activated photosensitive particles duringimaging. The term photosensitive for the purposes of this inventionrefers to the property of a particle which, once attracted to theinjecting electrode, will alter its polarity and migrate away from theelectrode under the infiuence of an applied electric field when exposedto activating electromagnetic radiation. The term suspension may bevdefined as a system having solid particles dispersed in a solid, liquidor gas. Nevertheless, the suspension used in the embodiment of thisinvention described herein is of the general type having a solidsuspended in a liquid carrier. The term imaging electrode is used todescribe that electrode which interfaces with the injecting electrodethrough the suspension and which once contacted by activatedphotosensitive particles will not inject sufficient charge into them tocause them to migrate from the imaging electrode surface. The imagingzone or imaging area is that zone between two electrodes wherephotoelectrophoretic imaging occurs.

The particles within the suspension are generally insulating when notstruck by activating radiation within their spectral response curve. Thenegative particles come into contact with or are closely adjacent to theinjecting electrode and remain in that position under the influence ofthe applied electric field until they are exposed to activatingelectromagnetic radiation. The particles near'the surface of theinjecting electrode make up the potential imaging particles for thefinal image to be reproduced thereon. When activating radiation strikesthe particles, it makes them conductive creating an electrical junctionof charge carriers which may be considered mobile in nature. Thenegative charge carriers of the electrical junction orient themselvestoward the positive injecting electrode while trode. The negative chargecarriers near the particle-electrode interface at the injectingelectrode can move across the short distance between the particle andthe surface of the electrode leaving the particle with a net positivecharge. These polarity altered, net positively charged particles are nowrepelled away from the positive surface of the injecting electrode andare attracted to the negative surface of the imaging electrode.Accordingly, the particles struck by activating radiation of a thepositive charge carriers move toward the imaging elecwavelength withwhich they are sensitive, i.e., a wavelength which will cause thefonnation of an electrical junction within the particles, move away fromthe injecting electrode to the imaging electrode leaving behind onlyparticles which are not exposed to sufficient electromagnetic radiationin their responsive range to undergo this change.

Consequently, if all the particles in the system are sensitive to onewavelength of light or another and the system is exposed to an imagewith that wavelength of light, a positive image will be formed on thesurface of the injecting electrode by the subtraction of bound particlesfrom its surface leaving behind particles in the unexposed areas only.The polarities on the system can be reversed and imaging will occur. Thesystem may be operated with dispersions of particles which initiallytake on a net positive charge or a net negative charge.

The imaging suspension may contain one, two, three or more differentparticles of various colors having various ranges of spectral response.In a monochromatic system the particles included in the suspension maybe of any color and produce any color and the particle spectral responseis relatively immaterial as long as there is a response in some regionof the-spectrum which can be matched by a convenient radiation exposuresource. In polychromatic systems the particles may be selected so thatparticles of different colors respond to different wavelengths Forphotoelectrophoretic imaging to occur, these steps (not necessarilylisted in the sequence that they occur) take place: l) migration of theparticles toward the injecting electrode due to the influence of thefield, (2) the generation of charge carriers withinthe particles whenstruck with activating radiation, (3) particle deposition on or near theinjecting electrode surface, (4) phenomena associated with the formingof an electrical junction between the particles and the injectingelectrode, (5) particle charge exchange with the injecting electrode,(6) electrophoretic migration toward the imaging electrode, and (7)particle depositionon the imaging electrode. This leaves a positiveimage on the injecting electrode.

After the image is formed on the injecting electrode, the electrode maybe brought into interface with a transfer member which has a chargepolarity opposite to that of the imaging electrode. The injectingelectrode is now maintained negative relative to the transfer member.The particles having a net negative charge will be attracted to therelatively'positive transfer member. If a support material is interposedbetween the transfer member and the particle image, the particles willbe attracted to the support material. Therefore, a photographicallypositive image can be formed on any support material.

The Machine Components Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodimentfor an automated machine to produce images according to theaforementioned process is shown. An injecting electrode 1 forms aportion of a transparent cylinder member held in a housing 2 and isjournaled for rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow about ashaft 3. The injecting electrode 1 is made up of a layer of opticallytransparent glass 4 overcoated with a thin optically transparent layer 5of tin oxide or other electrically conducting material. A particularmaterial suitable for this electrode is available under the name of NESAglass manufactured by Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, Pittsburgh, Pa.The injecting electrode 1 is formed as a portion of a cylinder housedwithin the metal housing frame 2.

The machine shown schematically in FIG. 1 is positioned where theinjecting electrode cylinder portion is about to be rotated in apredetermined path to a cleaning station labeled A whereat a pluralityof cleaning members such as belts 6, 7 and 8 contact the conductivesurface 5 of the injecting electrode. On the opposite side of theinjecting electrode held stationary within the machine frame are lamps9, l0 and 11 juxtaposed to the belts 6, 7 and 8 respectively. Whenactivated, the lamps send flood light illumination through thetransparent injecting electrode at the contactareas between theelectrode and the cleaning belts. Each of the belts are activated by oneof the cylinders l2, l3 and 14 to contact the injecting electrode 1.These cylinders operate to press the belts against the conductivesurface of the injecting electrode in order to clean it.

The next station in the path of movement of the injecting electrode isthe imaging station B. Here, on the first pass of the injectingelectrode 1 through station B the first imaging member, the imagingelectrode 16 interfaces with the conductive surface 5 of the injectingelectrode 1.

The optical system at station C projects an image to the imaging zonebetween the electrodes 1 and 16 at station B. The optical system has alamp carriage 17 journaled at an axis 18 to oscillate in a pathindicated by the arrows. A document 20 is positioned at the platen 19.The lamps are shown at the start of scan position and as the injectingelectrode 1 passes through the imaging area at station B the lamps moveacross the platen 19 projecting an image at station B through suitablemirrors 21-23, a lens 24 and the transparent electrode 1.

The imaging electrode roller 16 moves in rolling interface relation withthe conductive surface 5 of the injecting electrode 1 and functions bothto supply suspension to the injecting electrode and to image thatsuspension between the injecting electrode surface 5 and the surface ofthe electrode 16.

The injecting electrode continues to rotate at a constant velocitythrough a complete rotation of the predetermined path. It travelswithout interacting with any elements located around the periphery ofthe path until it again reaches station B at the imaging zone. Now,however, the injecting electrode 16 has been moved out of itsinterfacing position by operation of a cylinder 25 which lowers theelectrode 16 and the housing 26 supporting it. Further, a cylinder 27moves a carriage 28 along a horizontal path carrying with it the housing26 which supports the imaging electrode 16. Also moved in the carriage28 is a second imaging member, the imaging electrode 29 within a housing30 maintaining it. A cylinder 31 operates through an eccentric 32 toraise the housing 30 and the second imaging electrode 29 at the imagingzone at the imaging station B of the machine. The second imagingelectrode 29 moves in rolling interface with the injecting electrodesurface 5 as that surface passes through the imaging station B; At thistime the original 20 on the platen 19 is again illuminated by thescanning lamps 33 at the optical system station C. The scan issynchronized with the movement of the injecting electrode to project aflowing image in registration with the first projection and moving atthe same rate as is the surface 5 at the imaging zone.

The injecting electrode 1 then passes into the transfer station D. Atstation D is a transfer roller 40. A sheet of support material held inthe supply tray 41 is lifted therefrom and is carried through a vacuumtransport 42 to the transfer roller 40. It is gripped by a grippermechanism 43 on the transfer roller 40 and rotated to the injectingelectrode 1 passing at station D. Before the sheet 44 contacts thesurface 5 of the injecting electrode 1 it is moistened with a liquidthat will aid in transferring the particles of the suspension on thesurface 5. The wetting is accomplished by a wetting bar 45 rotated in apool of suitable wetting material held within a tank 46. The transfermember 40 rotates the support material 44 in rolling contact with thesurface 5 of the injecting electrode 1 under the influence of a suitableelectric field causing the particles fonning the image on the injectingelectrode to vbe transferred to the support material. The supportmaterial is removed from the transfer member by picker fingers 47 and arelease mechanism on the grippers. Next it is carried on a vacuumtransport 48 to a suitable receptacle.

Injecting Electrode Cleaning Mechanism At the start of the imagingcycle, the injecting electrode 1 moves past the cleaning mechanism atstation A in FIG. 1. There are three individual cleaning belts, 6, 7 and8, in-

dividually housed andjindividually adjustable to contact the surface 5of the injecting electrode 1 by action of the hydraulic cylinders 12, 13and 14 respectively. The. cylinder, of course, can be pneumatic orhydraulic or other substitute means such as cams, solenoids, ormechanical linkage or the like could be used to shuttle the cleaningmembers into contact with the injecting electrode surface 5.

The cleaning mechanism is a modular unit that mounts onto the mainframes of the machine via brackets and 51. These brackets attachrespectively to the main modular side plates 52 and 53 which support theentire mechanism including the three separate cleaning beltsand theirsupporting equipment. Fastened to the side plates for each belt assemblyare four Oilite bushings, for example the bushings 54-57. Each set oftwo bushings maintains a slide rod such as rods 58 and 59 of the topmostbelt assembly. Identical systems are maintained for each of the othercleaning belt assemblies. For example, in FIG. 21, bushings'60 and 61are shown on a second belt assembly for supporting the slide rod 62while bushing 63 is shown supporting the slide rod 64 on the bottommostcleaning belt structure. Each of the slide rods have two flat portionsthereon such as portion 65 and 66 of the slide rod 59. Onto the flats oneach of the slide rods are fastened spacers such as 67 and 68 shown onthe flats of slide rod 62.

, Flanged portions 69 and 70 are mounted on these spacers. The supportmember 71 is stamped or otherwise formed to have four flanges 72 through75 for connection to the slide rods. On each of the slide rods is acollar such as collar 76 on slide rod 58. The collar acts as a positivestop against one of the bushings 55 and is preset to move the beltassembly which it supports into proper pressure contact with theinjecting electrode surface 5 during cleaning'thereof. The entirecleaning module including the plurality of beltassemblies is maintainedwithin'a shroud 77. This aids in the removal of vapors, should any bepresent, through a vapor removal hose 78 entering the shroud through anopening 79 specifically adapted for that purpose. The shroud is formedof thin metal and to add stiffness to it and to prevent its buckling,stiffers 80 are spot welded or otherwise formed on the shroud.

Reference to only one of the cleaning belt assemblies will be made todescribe the cleaning system. All of the belt assemblies are structuredand operated in the same basic manner. Each belt cleaning member has afluid holding tray such as tray 82. The tray is given stiffness andsupport by a metal stamped supportmember 71. Liquid is brought into thetray through an inlet pipe 83 and is removed from the tray by an outletpipe 84 where the contaminated liquid is circulated through a filtersuch as that described in copending application Ser. No. 806,637 filedon Mar. 12, 1969 in the name of Terence Davies and entitledElectrostatic Pigment Filter. An overflow port 85 is provided to ensurethat any excess liquid accumulated within the tray 82 is .removedwithout spilling over the edges thereof. Suitable fittings are providedon each of these pipes to connect with hosing for pumping the liquidthrough the tray 82 and the filter.

The belt 6 runs through the fluid 86 in the bottom of the tray pickingit up for contact with the injecting electrode surface 5 as it passesand skids against that surface. The liquid level is indicated by thereference numeral 86. The belt can be formed of any generally knowncleaning material such as a tufted cotton fabric, felt orbush-like'material of any other material that will function to helpclean the surface of the injecting electrode. The belt is wrapped arounda pair of driving rollers 87 and 88 which, by friction, pull the belt inthe direction shown. The belt is cleaned of contaminating materialpicked up from the injecting electrode by passage over a series ofscraper blades such as the blade 89 made of nylon, rubber or anymaterial that will be unaffected by the pigment particles or thecleaning fluids used in the process. The blades are maintained in analuminum extrusion 90 which, with the blades, is leveled by fourleveling screws such as screw 91. The proper tension for the beltpassing over the blades held within the extrusion is. maintained by beltshaping members 92 and 93 held on a phenolic block support 94. Thesupport 94 extends across the belt member from the frame 95 to the frame96 both of which support all of the rollers and drive mechanism for thebelt. The shaping members can be metal stampings, plastic moldings orany material stiff enough to form a belt path tight against the scraperblades. v

The belt is further wrapped around an idler roller 97 mountedeccentrically on shaft 98. It is through this roller that belt trackingis maintained by shifting ends of the' roller on the eccentric shaft. Awringer assembly composed of rollers 99 q and 100 pinch and squeeze thebelt as it passes therebetween in order to wring out the excess cleaningfluid that may have been absorbed by the belt material. The belt rollsover the pressure roller 101 which maintains the belt against theinjecting electrode surface 5 when the cleaning assembly is in contacttherewith. The roller is support by the frames 95 and 96 through bearing102. I

The end cap 104 of the pressure roller 101 is metallic and is contactedby a contact brush 105 capable of presenting an electrical bias ofbetween 0-10 KV across the suspension residue to the end cap andtherethrough to the metallic pressure roller 101. The metal roller iscovered with a sleeve 108 of urethane rubber which gives good pressurequalities during cleaning. The electrical potential is supplied throughan electrical source. The electrical housing 107 is suitably fastened tothe frame 96 of the cleaning assembly. The entire cleaning assembly issecurely braced by the frames 95 and 96 and the various rollers plus asupporting tie bar 109. a 7

Each of the cleaning assemblies is moved into contact at a predeterminedtime in the machine operation cycle. The three stations are moved insimultaneously with each other-by the operation of the cylinders 12-14operating on each of the cleaning assemblies. The cylinder 12-isfastenedto the frame structure of the cleaning assembly module A by a tie plate110 and is attached through a clevis mount 11 l thereto.'The piston ofthe cylinder is attached to the cleaning assembly tray 82 through a locknut 112 and a second nut 113 which is spot welded to the tank 82. Whenactuated, the cylinder pushes the tray toward the drum until the collarstop 76 strikes the bushing 75 positively stopping the movement of thecleaning assembly against the drum at a predetermined interferenceposition.

Each of the belts of the cleaning assemblies are driven byindividualmotors such as motor 114. The motors move the belts in the directionindicated via a sprocket 115 attached to the shaft 116 of the motordriving it. The power is transmitted through a chain drive 117 to thedriven sprocket 118 and then to the gearing 1 19 and 120 attached to theshafts of the driving member rollers comparable to rollers 87 and 88. I

v Operating as part of thedrum cleaning module is a pufier tube whichextends across the length of the module and the drum between the secondand third cleaning assemblies along the direction of movement of thedrum. The puffer tube is held by a puffer mount 126 and securelyfastened to the mount by a clamping screw 127. The mount is held on atie rod 128 by a clamping screw 129 ensuring non-slip attachment betweenthe mount and the tie rod. The puffer tube 125 has a slot 130 across thelength thereof and a nozzle 131 welded across the slot 130. The pufferis aimed in a predetermined direction to affect the removal ofresidualparticles and cleaning fluid from the injecting electrodedrum housing ata notch 152 specially designed to cooperate with the puffer tube forremoval of accumulated materials. The removal is affected by the venturitube principle by blowing against the entrance to the nip of the notchand thereby puffing all of the fluid out of the notch where it iscontacted by the last cleaning belt as- Although a specific preferredembodiment of the invention and its environment are shown, the scope ofthe invention should not be assumed to be limited by illustration. Byway of example only, although cylinders are illustrated as moving thecleaning belt, electrical or mechanical means such as solenoids or camscould also serve the equivalent function. Although a continuous belt isshown for contacting the contaminated surface, other shapes of types ofmembers could serve the same function and fall within the inventivescope of the appended claims. Likewise, other environments differentfrom the one illustrated could be used to accommodate the invention andbe improved by the invention.

while this invention has been described with reference to the structuresdisclosed herein and while certain theories have been expressed toexplain the experimentally obtainable results obtained, it is notconfined to the details set forth; and this application is intended tocover such modifications or changes as may come within the purposes ofthe improvements or the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for cleaning a contaminatable surface of a movable part ofa machine including a. a surface contacting member;

b. a frame for holding said member;

c. means to move said member into contact with the said surface attachedto said frame;

d. deformable cylindrical roller means backing said member forsupporting said member against the surface;

e. means for applying cleaning fluids to said member;

f. means to remove contaminants from said member;

g. means to drive said member in slipping relative movement about anaxis parallel to the movement of the surface.

2. Apparatus for cleaning a surface including a surface contactingmember;

a frame for holding said member;

means to move said member into contact with the said surface attached tosaid frame;

means backing said member for supporting said member against thesurface;

means for applying cleaning fluids to said member;

means to remove contaminants from said member;

means to drive said member in slipping relative movement with thesurface, and

means for coupling the backing means of said member to an electricalsource.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including a housing for maintaininga plurality of frames and members and including a plurality of membersfor contacting the surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 including a light source opposite saidmember at the contact position with said surface and adapted forlighting during cleaning by said member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further including puffer means directedtoward the surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said puffer means includes a tubeand having a slot therein,

a gas coupling means for bringing gases into said tube; and

a nozzle attached to said tube at the slot therein for guiding the gasesexiting from said tube toward the surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said member is cylindrical in shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said member comprises a continuousbelt.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means to move said member intocontact with said surface includes a fluid driven means.

10. The apparatus of claim-2 wherein said backing means includes anelectrically conductive rubber roller.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for applying fluidsinclude a sump portion within said frame such that said member ispositioned for contact therewith.

12. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means to remove depositsincludes pinch roller means for contacting said member at said meansbacking said member and for squeezing portions of said member passingbetween portions of said pinch roller means. 13. The apparatus of claim8 wherein said means to remov deposits from said member includes beltshapers for contacting the side of said belt opposite the side forcontacting the surface, blades spaced on the opposite side of the beltbetween shapers for removing contaminants from the contact side of thebelt. 14. The apparatus of claim 13 further including leveling means foraligning said blades with said shapers for a predetermined interferencewith said belt. i 15. The apparatus of claim 5 including a notch in thesurface to be cleaned, said notch capable of being positioned oppositesaid puffer means in operative association therewith.

1. Apparatus for cleaning a contaminatable surface of a movable part ofa machine including a. a surface contacting member; b. a frame forholding said member; c. means to move said member into contact with thesaid surface attached to said frame; d. deformable cylindrical rollermeans backing said member for supporting said member against thesurface; e. means for applying cleaning fluids to said member; f. meansto remove contaminants from said member; g. means to drive said memberin slipping relative movement about an axis parallel to the movement ofthe surface.
 2. Apparatus for cleaning a surface including a surfacecontacting member; a frame for holding said member; means to move saidmember into contact with the said surface attached to said frame; meansbacking said member for supporting said member against the surface;means for applying cleaning fluids to said member; means to removecontaminants from said member; means to drive said member in slippingrelative movement with the surface, and means for coupling the backingmeans of said member to an electrical source.
 3. The apparatus of claim2 further including a housing for maintaining a plurality of frames andmembers and including a plurality of members for contacting the surface.4. The apparatus of claim 2 including a light source opposite saidmember at the contact position with said surface and adapted forlighting during cleaning by said member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1further including puffer means directed toward the surface.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein said puffer means includes a tube andhaving a slot therein, a gas coupling means for bringing gases into saidtube; and a nozzle attached to said tube at the slot therein for guidingthe gases exiting from said tube toward the surface.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein said member is cylindrical in shape.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein said member comprises a continuous belt.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said means to move said member into contactwith said surface includes a fluid driven means.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein said backing means includes an electrically conductiverubber roller.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means forapplying fluids include a sump portion within said frame such that saidmember is positioned for contact therewith.
 12. The apparatus of claim 2wherein said means to remove deposits includes pinch roller means forcontacting said member at said means backing said member and forsqueezing portions of said member passing between portions of said pinchroller means.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means to removedeposits from said member includes belt shapers for contacting the sideof said belt opposite the side for contacting the surface, blades spacedon the opposite side of the belt between shapers for removingcontaminants from the contact side of the belt.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 13 further including leveling means for aligning said blades withsaid shapers for a predetermined interference with said belt.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 5 including a notch in the surface to be cleaned,said notch capable of being positioned opposite said puffer means inoperative association therewith.